2,100 people shifted to 36 relief camps from flood-hit areas of Thiruvalla taluk

Flood situation continues to be grim in the low-lying Upper Kuttanad region as the water started receding from the upper reaches of Thiruvalla taluk on Wednesday.

As many as 2,100 people have been shifted to 36 relief camps from the flood-hit areas of Thiruvalla taluk by Wednesday afternoon, according to official sources.

Nearly 70 rural roads in Niranam and Kadapra villages have been submerged in the flood waters. Mepral village, surrounded with flood waters, continued to remain cut off on Wednesday.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private bus operators have cancelled all services on the Chathankerry-Muttar Road, Mepral-Kidangara Road, and the Theveri Road, owing to the flood.

Drinking water

Scarcity of potable water is a serious issue facing the people in the flood-hit areas with flood waters polluting all wells in the Upper Kuttanad region.

Epidemic threat looms large over many parts of Upper Kuttanad. Water-borne diseases such as jaundice have already been traced in these areas. Mundappally SC colony, Kazhuppil colony, and Chakkulathu colony have been isolated with flooding of paddy fields on all the four sides.

A medical team, led by District Medical Officer Gracy Ithaq and Deputy DMO T. Anithakumari, visited various relief camps on Wednesday. Thiruvalla Revenue Divisional Officer A. Gopakumar, accompanied by a team of officials attached to the Disaster Management Department, visited the flood-hit areas of Peringara, Kadapra, Niranom, and Nedumpuram on Wednesday.

Storage in reservoirs

Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) sources told The Hindu that Kakki, Anathode, and Pampa reservoirs of the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project has recorded 92 per cent water storage as on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the catchment areas of the Sabarigiri project showed a respite from the incessant rains on Wednesday.

The Kakki and Pampa reservoirs had received only 16 mm and 9 mm rainfall, respectively, on Tuesday, sources said. KSEB sources told The Hindu that the water stored in the Sabarigiri reservoirs would be enough to generate 842.79 million units (mu) of power.